Starting with the basics: what is educational technology? Our introductory readings provide us with one possible definition, which reads “The application of science to the improvement of the human condition. Technology seeks to apply science to practical human endeavors for the benefit of people. Science is knowing and the pursuit of knowing. Technology is doing and the pursuit of effective and efficient ways of doing. If the definition of technology as ‘doing and the pursuit of ways of doing’ is accepted, then technology can be viewed as the use of both the process of doing and the products developed for doing it.” (Eisele and Eisele, 1990, pg. 3) A following pair of definitions, both quite broad, can also be used. The first, used by educators defines educational technology as “media that can be used in instruction”. Following that line of thought, almost anything could be described as educational technology. The second example as used by technologists states educational technology as “hardware available for the classroom”. (Lever-Duffy, McDonald, and Mizell, 2010, pg. 5) A specific example for using technology in the classroom is to aid students to learn the skills essential to the modern world, that is, the technological, digital world.
Although I am not yet a teacher, I aspire to fulfill the duties of that profession. So how can I teach myself to use appropriate technological media in classroom? It is provisionally true that individuals learn in different ways; it is universally true that individuals learn in different ways to their maximum potential. Realizing this, then, will go a long way in embracing technology in the classroom. Some students prefer to enter into discussions with the instructor; others listen passively, some not at all; still others desire to read quietly, while a few enjoy pictures and their captions; not all are diligent scribes nor accomplished test-takers. Every student falls somewhere among those categories though by no means is he or she limited to just one definition at any given time. Technology, if used appropriately, can accommodate virtually any student, despite his or her learning proclivities. Using a media program that possesses both audio as well as visual functions could overcome some of these issues, whereas e-books and electronic pens would do for the rest. A simple use for tracking students’ progress would be to use a basic spreadsheet or excel document. Consisting of rows and columns, such applications would be ideal for alpha-numeric records. They can be saved under any name, making organization very simple. Additionally, digital software can be stored as so many different forms and by numerous devices, a teacher could view it as easily on a smart-phone or television as on a computer. No longer must one be stuck to the desk in order to review or edit student assignments.
As a side note, I will probably be including parts of the blog in the weekly discussions to to bring some extra thoughts to the class site.
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